Miami Dolphins' Jake Long not making excuses for subpar play

MIAMI DOLPHINS

Miami Dolphins lineman working on mistakes

He's a four-time Pro Bowler, and the Miami Dolphins' highest paid player. Long knows the expectations are that he plays like an elite left tackle every Sunday.

That's why Long's not making any excuses for the team-leading three sacks he's allowed in the season's first four games.

"I hate it. Sacks are my biggest pet peeve," Long said a few days after Cardinals linebacker Sam Acho jumped over his cut block to produce a takedown of rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill. "I'm working every single day to correct the problems, watching the film and seeing what I did wrong. I got to make sure it doesn't happen because that's something I hate."

Long, who has allowed 16 sacks in his first four seasons, said he feels like he's playing good overall, despite the sacks. He acknowledges that he's healthy despite the right knee injury he suffered the week before the regular season opener.

"This is the healthiest I've felt in a while. I feel like I'm moving well and getting better every single game," said Long, who battled nagging injuries last season and missed the final three games because of a biceps tear in his right arm.

Long might say he's healthy and comfortable, but that doesn't explain why ProFootballFocus.com has him rated as the 43rd best offensive tackle in the NFL after four games.

Long finished 2011 ranked as the 21st best tackle, and that was a significant dip from his position as the NFL's second best tackle the previous two years.

"I can see the progress I've made from the first game," Long said. "I've just got to keep working and improving every single week."

Long's early struggles could have a financial ripple effect.

Long, who is earning $11.2 million this season, is set to become a free agent this offseason unless the Dolphins re-sign him, or place the franchise tag on the No. 1 pick of the 2008 NFL draft.

Hard for his camp to argue he's one of the NFL's elite offensive tackles if the asking price doesn't match the productivity.

Coach Joe Philbin doesn't appear to be considered about Long's effectiveness.

"I think he is playing well," Philbin said. "I'm overall pleased with the offensive line. There's not a player on the team that I'm satisfied with, but overall I think he has contributed nicely."